ANC needs consultative summit – not more division

Published Aug 31, 2016

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AS WE observe so many people – ranging from ANC stalwarts, certain members and even ordinary people on the street – calling for the resignation of President Zuma and an early Elective Conference, to me it won’t help.

The early Elective Conference will, instead, deepen divisions within the ANC because, even those calling for the early Elective Conference, are already attaching names such as those of the so-called “Premier League”.

My sober call as an ANC member and a leader in my space is for a National Consultative Conference, same as the one once called in 1985 at Kabwe. In the Consultative Conference we need to remind ourselves of the importance of being an ANC member and, eventually, a leader. We need to ensure that those who are corrupt, or facing corruption cases, even if not yet found guilty, are relieved of their duties.

The neglect of cadre policy is at the centre of most of the current weaknesses and challenges faced by our movement.

Our revolution will succeed if the ANC continuously produces a contingent of cadres who are competent, committed, disciplined and conscientious.

In this Consultative Conference we need to redevelop a guiding document and rules to end factionalism, gate-keeping and character assassination; we must also act on the 
spot with those facing corruption, including those failing to uphold the highest supreme law of the Republic (Constitution) as announced by the Concourt. In this Consultative Conference, we can be frank with each other, but without pointing fingers; instead we can bring about alternative measures.

An early Elective Conference will definitely not bring back the lost unity of this organisation; instead we will be left with more victims. The people who must preside over the Consultative Conference must be our veterans, such as Dennis Goldberg, Sophie de Bruyn, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Frene Ginwala, Joel Netshitenzhe, and not the current NEC.

We need to also invite other former liberation movement leaders in other countries, such as Kenneth Kaunda.

Our organisation is no longer in ICU but is a Titanic and to point fingers won’t help.

Removing an individual and leaving a lot of his lieutenants won’t help this organisation to heal. Arrogance and a state of denial must become foreign.

Let’s swallow our pride and rebuild this organisation. Thanks to stalwarts such as Sipho Pityana, but we need more. It’s a time to join us and be part of a solution and way forward.

That is my humble and sober call for a National Consultative Conference. Lastly, thieves and thuggery must never be entertained, including opportunism.

Viwe Sidali

ANC Member, former ANCYL Buffalo City Metro REC & Branch chairperson

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